Soquel Nursery Growers
September 2007 Newsletter
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Soquel Nursery Growers 3645 North Main Street Soquel, CA 95073
(831) 475-3533 (800) 552-0802 (831) 475-1608 fax
Citrus
We have beautiful 5 gallon Mexican Limes and
Meyer Lemons. Mexican or Key Limes grow to
about 11’ tall and produce small, intensely flavored
fruit. Our Meyer Lemons are semi-dwarf, growing to
about 12’ tall. The lemons are rounder and sweeter
than Eurekas. Meyer Lemons are the best citrus for
cool coastal climates.
Salvia lyrata

Salvia lyrata or Lyreleaf Sage is native to open woodlands and stream banks of the American southeast.  It
forms a 2’ basal rosette of lyre-shaped green leaves with an interesting pattern of dark red veins. The 2’ spikes
of little sky-blue flowers appear in late spring and early summer. This salvia is grown primarily for its foliage as
the flowers are not particularly showy.   Salvia lyrata will naturalize freely in the right conditions and makes a
delightful addition to an informal meadow area.
Mite-resistant Fuchsias

The new generation of hybrid fuchsias is more mite-resistant than older varieties. We will be growing many
different hybrids and species. Here’s what we have this month:

Bell Buoy: Large rounded flowers with red sepals and purple petals. Medium height, sprawling habit.
Hinnerike: Small, cylindrical orange flowers. Medium height, open habit.
Fanfare: Long, narrow pink sepals with green tips. Orange petals. Tall with upright, arching habit.

Did you know that hummingbirds can carry fuchsia gall mites on their tongues?
Bell Buoy
Fanfare
Hinnerike
California Native Mimulus



Two species of Mimulus are here to brighten your autumnal garden. Mimulus (aka
Diplacus) auranticus or Sticky Monkeyflower is one of the most familiar and
popular native wild flowers. You can see its little orangey-yellow faces peeping out
from the grass and chaparral along trails and on cliffs. Mimulus puniceus or Red
Monkeyflower is native to Southern California chaparral. Both species get to be
about 2’ x 2’. They can be planted in well-drained soil in full sun or light shade.
They tend to get a bit leggy but you can prune them to keep them dense. They are
very drought tolerant once established.
Asclepias currassavica

Rejoice if you see brightly striped yellow, black and white
caterpillars on your Asclepias. Have the pixies lost their socks?
No, these are the larvae of the Monarch Butterfly. We have
Asclepias currassavica ‘Silky Gold’, aka Milkweed or Blood
Flower. The flowers and foliage are very attractive even
without caterpillars.
Coreopsis ‘Limerock Ruby’
“OOO, I just love that incredible COLOR! I’ve never seen a
flower that color before! I want a velvet dress that color. I
would feel like a Baroness!” That’s what I said when I saw
Coreopsis ‘Limerock Ruby.’ It is a most rare and luscious
deep velvety red. The deep green needle-like foliage makes a
sparkling contrast with the jewel-toned flowers. Plant it in
full sun and give it medium water. It will grow to about 18” x
2’.  Coreopsis ‘Limerock Ruby’ is blooming now and on through
the fall.  If you shear it after blooming it will bloom again.
Stipa ramosissima

This spectacular grass is called Pillar of Smoke because
the seed heads are so finely textured they look like clouds
of smoke. Its bright green foliage stays good looking all
year. The elegant jointed stems look like a miniature bamboo.
Use it in a mass planting for a fast growing screen or plant
one for a focal point. Stipa ramossisima forms a clump 6’
tall and 3’ wide. Great for seacoast gardens. It tolerates
wind, heat and drought, but looks best with some water
Bergenia cordifolia

It seems that many people have strong feelings about various plants based on
how they feel about their grandmothers. “Oh, I love (or hate!) that plant!”,
they say. “My Grandma had it in her garden!” Bergenia is a classic grandma
plant.  Its fleshy, bright green, shiny leaves add a bold texture to a shady
flowerbed with ferns and fuchsias. ‘Red Beauty’ has deep rosy-red flowers
and a reddish tint to its leaves in winter. It tolerates a wide variety of soils
and poor drainage. It is perfect for an old-fashioned garden or a bold
modern design. But how did it get the common name Pigsqueak?  Rubbing two
leaves together makes a funny little squeaking sound.